08/13/2026
Massachusetts has two loan limits, and most buyers only know about one. 🏡
Here's the breakdown for 2026:
📊 $832,750 — the statewide baseline conforming limit
📊 $962,550 — the Essex County high-balance limit, because we qualify as a high-cost area
And a warning: some published tables cite $1,249,125. That's the national statutory ceiling, NOT the Essex County limit. Fannie Mae explicitly says not to use it to determine a loan amount. Always confirm through the FHFA lookup tool. ⚠️
So really there are three categories 👇
✅ CONFORMING — under $832,750
✅ HIGH BALANCE — between that and $962,550. Still agency-backed, so it usually prices BETTER than true jumbo.
✅ JUMBO — above the county limit. Tighter requirements on credit, reserves, and appraisals.
That middle category is the one people miss, and it can save you real money. 💰
Why it matters here: Andover regularly produces sales above $1 million. A $1.1M purchase with 10% down already exceeds the county limit. And because county lines set the threshold, two nearby towns can land in completely different categories. 🗺️
Good news for first-time buyers — most entry-level purchases in the Valley stay well under conforming, so standard programs and lower down payments apply. 💙
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